Mariya Muzychuk in her first tournament since winning the women’s championships two weeks ago. Photo by Anastasia Kharlovich.

The World Team Championship and the World Women’s Team Championships are being concurrently held in different countries in a 10-team round robin format. These teams qualified from their positions in respective continental championships and features among the top teams in the world. While there are many missing top players in both tournaments, there will be fierce competition for gold.

Many of these teams have vied for medals in past Olympiad tournaments and are no less motivated for the World Team titles. The tournament is held of the off-year of the Olympiad and the 2013 defending champions are Russia and the Ukraine. Russia will be led by Alexander Grischuk and the Ukrainian will be led by Women’s World Champion Mariya Muzychuk.

Will China repeat its Olympiad magic at the World Team?Photo by Daaim Shabazz.